Baking purpleheart?

I got a board of purple heart today. After running it through the planer some of it turned brown. I think it’ll go back to purple eventually but I’d like a way to really bring out the purple color and then immediately slap some finish on it with UV inhibitors.

The dude at the lumber store said that he had heard that people bake purpleheart in their oven. 400 degrees for about 5-10 minutes.

Does anyone else know of this? I reluctant to try it for the obvious safety reasons but I also don’t want to damage this rather expensive wood.

9 replies so far

That would release the oil which would bring the color out, but danish oil should do the same. Try sanding it out too. I wouldn’t put it in the oven unless I was sure it would be okay for the wood and the gases it may release. For instance purple heart dust is mildly toxic, nausea, malaise can result. http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/_@_toxicity.htm

-- A positive attitude will take you much further than positive thinking ever will.

I have heard of using heat to bring out the color however I’ve also heard of this turning the wood different shades of blue as well. However I’ve never seen this verified though I do have distant plans on experimenting with it.

So, what’s the point of trying to prevent something that’s going to happen anyway? The padauk mantle I made a few years ago is now a nondescript dark dark brown with no character. Bubinga, maple, or walnut with some interesting grain would have been a better choice.

-- Clint Searl....Ya can no more do what ya don't know how than ya can git back from where ya ain't been